Eastside Property: Flipper faux pas in Hermon

The owners who are trying to sell this 900-square-foot bungalow in Hermon for $379,000 have been closely following the flipper handbook: the brightly colored front door contrasts against gray siding; the interior features wood floors and open ceilings; the listing plays up the proximity to the neighborhood coffee house and park. These are all features that have proven popular with buyers. But then the listing for the Redfield Avenue house – which sold for $195,000 in June, according to Redfin – says something that will rankle many Hermon residents:

Welcome to Hermon, Founded 1903. This historic neighborhood, now part of Highland Park …

Oh, oh. The Highland Park takeover of Hermon would be news to the residents of the small but proud community. Not only is Hermon located across the Arroyo Seco Parkway from Highland Park, community leaders recently undertook an effort to form their own neighborhood council.

This member of Highland Park, a member of the neighborhood council recognizes Hermon as it’s own entity. In fact, as I understand my N.C. and its bylaws, which clearly delineate H.P., Hermon is not included.

Add to the flipper handbook the gratuitous use of HDR photos. I guess it sets off the horizontal fencing from the palm trees and smog. And why take the interior of a nice old house and make it look like an 80s era condo?

Hermon is part of the 90042 Highland Park zip code. I lived in Highland Park for more than 20 years before I heard anyone mention that Hermon was a neighborhood. It seems like everyone wants their own little neck of the woods to have its own special name these days. There are so many new neighborhood names now , it’s hard to keep up.

Hermon was established as a separate township in 1903 by Free Methodist settlers to start a religious school just one block away from this property (later the home of the first Jr. College in Calif. and a “Prohibition Party” U.S. Presidential candidate). In 1912, it joined L.A. City, but remained distinct — then with it’s own post office, businesses, schools and church. The street now called “Via Marisol” was, for more than 70 years, an exit off the 110 Freeway called “Hermon Avenue” until Art Snyder “stole our street name” (LA Times headline), to honor his then infant daughter. In the 1960s, the invention of ZIP codes by the federal government confused many smaller neighborhoods and blurred the reality of Northeast L.A.’s distinct communities (but if we used those as our guide, Mt. Washington and Cypress Park would all be called “Glassell Park” – as well). Hermon remains a separate community (see: http://www.hermonla.org/Hermon/History.html) — it has a different police precinct, council office, neighborhood council, etc. from its neighbor Highland Park. Realtors who opt for the “lets make it easy to find by saying HP, instead” actually do their clients a disservice, because Hermon is known as one of the safest, quietest, and most “quirky” communities in the area.

Interesting how these things change. Not too long ago, realtors would have been looking for an excuse to call the neighborhood anything BUT Highland Park. (See “Mt. Angelus” for an example.) Now I guess we’re cool.

i love how none of you have anything to say about yet another neighborhood being pushed out to the highest bidder, “flipped” by the greedy and sold for double the price and starting the same over-your-head, foreclosure mess again.

how about some rules to keep neighborhoods balanced? you take the most important thing people own and play your stupid games.

I am actually the “new” owner of this house, and I bought it for a considerable amount less than what is mentioned in this article. I’m 25 years old.

I’ve had tons of family/friends visit over the past year, and every single person says they love the house, and the peaceful neighborhood. The “flipper” is actually an interior designer for millionaire homes in west la, beverly hills, and other boojie neighborhoods. If you saw the home in person, you’d be able to appreciate the detail she put into every part of the house and yard. 80’s retro? Really? I failed to notice the dark wood panels, brown carpet, and dull wallpaper. If you’re going to hate, at least be credible. The way the home was staged was very “hip”, but I’ve given it a cozy feel that is more homey than artsy.

And as for the “orange woodchips”, it’s called a low maintenance alternative. There’s no need to water, mow, or landscape compost. And most importantly, there’s tons of space to add my ideas to the yard. It’s called potential.

As for the the comment about greedy flippers. I’m not sure if you’re aware, but you live in America. Usually in America, the people with the most money win. I suppose you would recommend another way of doing business…

I love my home, and I love the neighborhood and plan to live here and raise a family for many years to come.

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